News

Advocacy Efforts by ProLiteracy Result in Approved Omnibus Bill

Posted on
March23,
2018

ProLiteracy is pleased to report that Congress approved the FY 2018 omnibus bill, which provides a $35 million increase for adult education state grants. This is the largest increase in nearly a decade, and reflects growing support for the field and adult literacy in general.

“A sincere thank you goes out to our network and the thousands of advocates that signed ProLiteracy’s Petition to Increase Adult Literacy Education Funding, said Kevin Morgan, president and CEO of ProLiteracy. Together our collective voice was heard and it made a difference. The effects of low adult literacy on 36 million American adults goes beyond the home. Each year, low literacy costs the U.S. billions in health care, unemployment, and corrections. With adequate resources, we will see a positive return on investment for a multitude of social issues.”

The bill includes funding for the Corporation for National and Community Service (including an increase in the AmeriCorps program), the Institute for Museum and Library Services, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. These programs are essential to the future success of adult learners.

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